Beautiful Dallas: View at night from the DTC (We were right downtown!)

The 25th Excel "Extraordinary Class" of 2005

Well, Hi y'all I'm back! I had a really great Excel experience. It was hard but worth it! I grew so much spiritually, emotionally and well just as a person that I have been really excited to put into practice all the great teaching I received.

Among the notables from whom I received instruction are Yvonne Welch, Bernidine Cantrell, Mr. Gothard, Mr. Novatany, Pastor Frailey and Elizabeth Elliot. They taught us a lot of things but the things that stand out to me were:

• The Names of God by Mrs. Bell
• Ettiquette/interior design/wardrobe planning/meeting dignitaries etc...by Berdine Cantrelle,
• The Keys to Success and Successful Living by Mr. Bell,
• EIC (Excellence In Communication) week taught by Jessica Menzel and Patricia Ballman (very educational and useful),
• The Anger Resolution Seminar
• Life Purpose Planning taught by Mr. Novatany and Sarah Danahur
• Spiritual Gifts by Pastor Frailey
• Esther and True Femininity by Pastor Frailey
• Standing Alone by Pastor Frailey
• Being a Princess of God by Lauren Bell
• How to Determine Godly Music/Media by Lauren Bell
• Life In the Single Lane by Aprill Brunson

Among other things, I learned smocking, caligraphy, cake decorating, banner making (I loved that!), sewing, flower arranging and vocal instruction.

I had some very interesting times...lots of hilarious stories of funny (and well...shall we say *cough* unconventional?) happenings at the DTC. Among them are getting locked out of the DTC, roommate stories such as: hanging scarves out of our 5th story window etc..., and of course the unltimate Excel honor "The Order of the Roach" which I...*sniffle* did not manage to make...*sob*. (However, I did manage to help my friend Teresa contribute 8 wasps trapped in 2 clear plastic cups. She caught, I carried.)

Each class is given a name that reflects it character. We were dubbed the "Extraordinary Class" by Mr. Bell.

Here are some pictures from my time there. These are not mine but ones that I'm mooching off of my friends until I can get some of mine developed. Enjoy!

Our Team: Back row: L-R: Jodelle Svenhard, Me, Roxanne Forrest, Jessica Bryant (New Zealand), Mary Sarah Long (My roommate), Christine Haree (Korea). Front Row:L-R: Teresa Straub, Sarah Danahur (our team leader), Hannah Fessenden (my other roommate).

Snuggle time! We're all watching the new BBC "Pollyanna". Kiwi Sisters (I love their accent by the way) Jessica (purple) and Bex (pink) Bryant, and my roommate Hannah (blue).

Beautiful team three...my friend Roxanne is easy to pick out..she's the short (*ahem* I mean vertically challanged) one in the middle:)

Sarah Danahur our very "balanced" team leader:)

Mr. and Mrs. Bell the directors of the Dallas Training Center.

Chapel Ceiling at Thanksgiving Square

Our Team at Thanksgiving Square

Victoria and Margret

My roomate Hannah and my dear friend Christine (she's from Korea) "Anyung Har'ee!"

Same view of Dallas from DTC just in the daytime (taken by Victoria...not me)

In Honor of Grandmother

My mother who has that same beautiful fair complexion, breathtaking blue eyes, with the tall regal look of her youth (Seanna's Grandmother) has been very ill with bone cancer. My parents contacted me while we were at the San Antonio Film Festival in Texas to let me know that they were going to try to make it to our home for one last trip before attempting to go to a Cancer clinic in Mexico. My mother never made it to our home. She ended up in the hospital with severe stomach pain. What we did not know during this time is that she also had a cancerous mass growing there.

I have been attempting for several weeks to come to my mother's side, to offer assistance to my father with comfort and hope through this frightening ordeal. With long distance traveling, my husband being snowed in Wyoming along with Seanna being too ill to travel, it has been at times very stressful to wait patiently. I have lately sensed a great peace and comfort even though my heart wants to come quickly to my parents aide. Several times I had felt a surge of panic as I await my husbands return fearing that I would not get to a chance to see my mother or that she would not get the help she needs in time. Then the Lord robed me with His peace and crowned me with comfort. I thank the Lord for this time of great adversity and helplessness that He can be glorified as I walk in His peace -step by step. I honor the Lord and my tenderhearted mother whom I love. This wonderful Grandmother who Seanna loves so dearly, a true kindred spirit.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27